Automatic valve and the like



May 22', 1928. 1,670,781

J. J. MURPHY AUTOMATIC VALVE AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 8, 1927 PatentedMay 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES JAMES J. MURPHY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

anromarrc VALVE AND THE mxnl Application filed February a, 1927. Serialat. 166,658.

valve are constructed and arranged so as to permit of easy assemblingand which parts are adjusted at the factory so that the valves may beset up for constant use without further adjustment.

The improved valve belongs to a class of valves which operate to permitexpulsion of air from the system through the radiators under action ofinternal pressure generated by the expanding vapors. Furthermore, thevalves are arranged to close automatically to prevent re-admission ofair whereby a partial vacuum of low pressure is constantly maintainedthroughout the system thereby deriving the best working condition.

In carrying out the invention, the improved valve essentially comprisesa casing enclosing a pair of diaphragms or flexing members and todistinguish one from the other, said flexing members will hereinafter becalled upper and lower flexing members. The upper member is rigidlysupported by the casing and the lower member is carried by .a floatingor movable member, in which internal expansion and contraction iscreated and operating so as to respectively effect the downwardly andupwardly flexing movement of the lower flexing member due to rise andfall in temperature." The improved valve also includes a siphon fordraining any water which may accumulate' within the valve due tocondensation or other reasons. The upper flexing member carries anaircheck valve body and said floating member carries the valve member,which latter is preferably in the form of a needle valve. A low pressureinternal working condition of the valve is maintained in the chamberbelow the upper flexing member. This latter member is held on itssupport between a pair of rigid plates, one plate being adjustablewhereby the degree of flexing movement of said upper flexing member maybe determinately set or calibrated.

The improved valve having an embodiment of the invention adapted to asteam radiator of a heating system will be described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a perspectiveview showing the improved valve attached to a radiator of which only apart is shown; and

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section showing the complete valve.

Referring to said drawings, the improved valve is constructed preferablyof a drawn tubular shell or casing 1 having an open upper end covered bya cap 2. A threaded nip.- ple 3 projects from the casing and by means oft-hisnipple the valve is operatively connected with the radiator 4.- inthe usual'manner. The casing has the flange 5 at the open upper end andthis flange is externally threaded at 6 by means of which the upperflanged plate 7 is adjustably secured. baid flange 5 also provides a.seat for the lower plate 8, which together with the upper flexing memberor diaphragm 9 is fixedly secured to the casing by soldering, forexample, so'as to provide a hermetical seal. Said diaphragm 9 carriesthe body 10 of an aircheck valve and this body moves with saiddiaphragm. Said body has a'central bore 11 providing a vent and atapered seat for the valve member 12. The latter member is carried bythe floating hollow member 13 having a flexible bottom 14 constitutingthe lower flexing member of the valve. This member 14 rests on anupwardly raised bottom 15 of the valve casing 1. The air-check valvebody 10 has seated thereon a checkplate 16 and this plate is square orshaped so as to fit within and turn with the dome check-plate in theaction of opening or closing the vent 11.

The improved valve is provided with the usual siphon to drain the waterwhich may .accumulate'within the'valve chamber and this siphon consistsof a bent piece of tubing 7 19 which is passed through the nipple 3.This nipple has the usual flanged head 20 which is preferably braised onthe casing. The end of the siphon tube 19 has a flange 21 which inassembling is passed through the 1 elongated hole 22 in the casing. Whenthe nipple is fixed in place, the siphon tube 19 heated vapor or airwhich. mustpass into heating system. In the normalposition of the partsof the valve, when there is no heat,

the lower flexing member is in its upwardly flexed position; the needlevalve member 12 is open and the check-plate 16 is in position to closethe vent 11. When heated steam enters the valve chamber, the rise ofpressure will expel the air through the vent 11, the pressure beinggreat "enough to raise checkplate 16 against atmospheric pressure. Asthe vapor becomes further heated a volatile substance within thefloating member 13 will expand and create pressure so as to causedownward flexing of the lower flexing mem ber 14, thereby raising theneedle-valve 12 to engage its seat and thus close the vent 11. The airforced out of the valve passes through the vent 23 in the cap 2 and thisvent 23 is constantly open to the atmosphere.

. When the pressure within the chamber of the valve below the upperflexing member 9 falls below atmospheric pressure, the said member isflexed downwardly due to the atmospheric pressure admitted through hole24 in plate 7. By this arrangement, a par- ,tial vacuum or low pressurecondition is maintained within the valve and throughout the heatingsystem.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit ofthis invention and it is to be understood that any modification comingfairly within the appended claims shall be covered thereby.

I claim 1. In a valve of the class described; a cas ing; upper and lowerflexing members located within said casing, said flexing membersoperating to maintain an internal low pressure working condition withinthe valve chamber beneath the upper flexing-member, the latter memberhermetically sealing said chamber; an air check valve body having a ventleading from said chamber and being carried by said upper flexingmember, a valve element for opening and closing said vent associatedwith and operated by said lower flexing member, said upper flexing;member bein flexed outwardly and inwardly respective y by internalpressure and external atmosphericv pressure to'aet separately orconjunctively with the lower flexing member in the action of opening andclosing said-vent and said upper flexing member being supported betweenupper and lower plates; the lower plate being fixed on said .casing andthe upper plate being adjustably mounted on said casing wherebyadjustment is effected to determinately limit the flexing movement ofsaid upper flexing member.

2. In a valve of the class described the structure thereofcomprising a'tubular casing having aflangedopen end, a cap for closing said openend, a floating member within said casing having a flexing diaphragm atthe bottom thereof, a raised bottom of saidcasing supporting saidfloating member, a flexing upper diaphragm and a supporting platetherefor fixed within said casing and hermetically sealing the chamberbelow said upper diaphragm, an upper plate adjustably mounted on saidflanged end of the casing and arranged to be adjusted to determinablylimit the flexing movement of said upper diaphragm, an air-check valvebody carried by said upper diaphragm, said check valve body having avent therein, and a valve element carried by said floating member foropening and closing said vent.

3. In a valve of the class described the structure thereof comprising atubular casing having a flanged open end, a-cap rotatably mounted onsaid flange for closing said open end, a floating member within saidcasing having a flexing diaphragm at the bottom thereof, a raised bottomof said casing supporting said floating member, a flexing upperdiaphragm and a supporting plate therefor flxed within said. casing andher metically sealing the chamber below said upper diaphragm, an upperplate adjustably mounted on said flanged end of the casing and arrangedto be adjusted to determinately limit the flexing movement of said upper'JAMESJ. MURPHY.

